Au Pair Cost Breakdown

Program fee¹

$11,245

Minimum au pair

stipend²

$10,179

Estimated yearly total

$21,424

or approximately $1,785/month

If you live in Massachusetts, check the price here

We offer three convenient payment options

All payment options include a non-refundable deposit at the time of matching equal to 1/3 of the program fee. For the remaining balance, you can choose between three convenient options. See the examples below based on a 52-week program term.

One easy payment

Pay in full when you match with an au pair - no additional fees, no fuss.

Pay program fee in full

$11,245

($3,749 of which is a non-refundable deposit). Paid when you match with your au pair

Two payments

Make your deposit when you match and your remaining balance will be automatically deducted by ACH transfer.

Non-refundable deposit

$3,749

Paid when you match with your au pair

Remaining balance

$7,496

Paid 30 days before your au pair arrives

Monthly payments

Convenient monthly installments will be automatically deducted by ACH transfer.

Non-refundable deposit

$3,749

Paid when you match with your au pair

Monthly installments

$670 x 12

$670, which includes a $45 per month fee

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Additional costs to consider

Room, board & utilities

You’re responsible for providing 3 meals a day and a minimum weekly stipend.

Transportation

Provide your au pair with access to a car if there’s no easy public transportation in your area.

Communication

For communication during on-duty hours, au pairs will need a phone and American SIM card.

Up to $500³ for education

Au pairs must take 6 credits while in the U.S., and families are responsible for paying towards their classes.

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Discounts

Military and first responder family discount

Save $1,000

Cultural Care Au Pair is proud to support our military and first responders. Host parents who serve as firefighters, law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services as well as active or veteran military members, will save $1,000 off their program fee when they host with us for the first time. To be eligible for the Cultural Care military and first responder discount, families must provide proof of service or employment, be new to Cultural Care, and must host for a term of at least 26 weeks. Discount cannot be combined with other offers.

Save $1,000

Make the switch discount

Save $1,000

We welcome families who have hosted au pairs with other agencies to discover the benefits of Cultural Care! To qualify for the Make the Switch discount, families must be new to Cultural Care Au Pair and must sign up to host for a minimum term of 26 weeks and match by September 30, 2025. Proof of payment and hosting history from another au pair agency must be shown. A deposit to another agency without hosting will not suffice. This discount may only be combined with the host family referral discount, and no other discounts. 

Save $1,000

Welcome back discount

Save $1,000

We welcome back former Cultural Care host families who have hosted an au pair with another other au pair agency in 2024/2025 with a savings of $1,000! To qualify, families must match between January 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025 for a minimum term of 26 weeks. Proof of payment and hosting history from another au pair agency must be shown. A deposit to another agency without hosting will not suffice. This discount may only be combined with the host family referral discount, and no other discounts. 

Save $1,000

Corporate program discount

Employee benefit program

Cultural Care Au Pair offers an employee benefit program and discount through a number of companies and organizations. To find out if your employer or organization participates in our corporate program, please check with your HR team or contact us at support@culturalcare.com.

Employee benefit program

Loyalty pricing

Repeat family rewards

For families who welcome a new au pair

Reduced program fee of $9,880

Take advantage of a special lower program fee for our loyal families who have purchased a term of at least 26 weeks. Families who apply early enough can earn up to an additional $350 early matching bonus. For your early matching bonus deadlines, see your account. Other terms and conditions apply. No promotion code necessary; discounts are applied automatically.

Reduced program fee of $9,880

Extension program

For families who extend with their current au pair

Take advantage of our best rates

To qualify for the reduced program fee, a family must extend with their current au pair. Program fees for extending with your au pair are as follows:

12 month extension: $7,995
9 month extension: $6,630
6 month extension: $4,875

Take advantage of our best rates

All families

Pre-arranged match discount

Save $300

Families who find their own future au pair are entitled to a $300 program fee discount. The candidate must be new to Cultural Care, meet Cultural Care’s screening requirements, and must successfully complete the Info Session in their appropriate recruitment country. Upon approval of your au pair candidate, ask your Matching Specialist for your promotion code to enter when you confirm your match.

Save $300

Host family referral program

Earn $250 for every family you refer who welcomes an au pair

We encourage you to spread the word and refer families you know who may benefit from our au pair childcare program. Earn a $250 referral bonus for each friend you refer through the referral link in your account when they welcome an au pair with our program! Referred families must be new to Cultural Care. Bonus will be applied to your account as a credit or issued as a refund upon request. Please note, families will receive a Form 1099 reporting the total referral bonus earned for any tax year in which they receive $600 or more. Other terms and conditions apply. Please refer to your Host Family Account for more details.

Earn $250 for every family you refer who welcomes an au pair

The largest number of available candidates

Meet some of our au pairs

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“We really can’t place our finger on the exact moment Camila felt part of our family, because our boys fell in love with her almost immediately

She earned their mutual respect with quiet, kind, and calm authority. We now eat arepas and listen to Guayacán, a Colombian orchestra. We are actively planning our family vacation to the coffee region of Colombia, as well!”

Nicole, host mom in California

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What our customers are saying

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between an au pair and a nanny?

Many people understand the terms “au pair” and “nanny” to mean the same thing, but they are actually quite different. In the U.S., an au pair refers to a young person from overseas who lives with an American family to care for their children and participate in a cultural exchange. They travel on a legal, one-year visa through a designated au pair agency, and their working hours and conditions are regulated by the U.S. Department of State. Au pairs initially commit to a one-year stay but have the opportunity to extend their time in the U.S. for 6, 9 or 12 months. They are excited to immerse themselves in new culture, improve their English and explore the U.S. The term “nanny”, on the other hand, is a more general term that can be used to describe both professionally trained caregivers and those with less formal experience.

Do I have to pay the whole program fee upfront?

Do we pay extra for having more than one child?

What’s the matching process like?

The Cultural Care app makes matching with au pairs easy! After signing up and creating your profile, you’ll be able to search for au pairs in the app and use our filters to narrow down your search. You can favorite the candidates you like best and start a chat or video call right through the app. Once you find a great match, you'll extend an offer to join your family. (Au pairs can initiate a match, too.) And if you have questions or need help along the way, our team of Matching Specialists is available throughout your search.

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Introducing our new app

The easiest way to find the right au pair for you

Steps to welcome an au pair

Step 1

Create account

Download app or register online

Step 2

Complete your profile

Upload photos, references, and other details about your family

Step 3

Meet program requirements

Complete host family checklist and
in-home interview

Step 3

Interview & find your au pair

Match and decide on your arrival date

Step 5

Prepare for arrival

Stay in touch with your au pair while we handle the logistics

Step 6

Welcome your au pair

Start your cultural exchange experience!

¹_{Au pairs pay a smaller program fee to the foreign company that screens them, but no portion of that fee is used to pay for the costs of their international airfare or domestic U.S. transportation. Au pairs may be charged additional fees in the event of special travel requests.}²_{The U.S. Department of State has determined that au pairs are required to receive from their host families at least $195.75 per week. Host families and au pairs are free to discuss and agree to compensation higher than the required stipend minimum; however, this cannot be in exchange for the au pair exceeding the regulatory limits on working hours (10 hours per day; 45 hours per week) or performing duties beyond childcare-related tasks. The State Department formula is based on the federal minimum wage and applicable room and board credits. Any change in the federal minimum wage or the applicable credits will result in an increase in this minimum stipend amount. Please note, should a family extend beyond the first year, they would be responsible for the stipend for each week of the extension term.}³_{This contribution towards an au pair’s education requirement is determined by the U.S. Department of State, and families agree to comply with any increase that is issued.}